NJC theatre staging 'Almost, Maine'

Shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday

The cast and crew of NJC theatre's upcoming production of "Almost, Maine" pose for a picture. Front row, Suzanna Kurz, left, and Dassah Lindstat. Middle row, from left; Kayla Smoth, Troy Wills, ShawnnaRae Jantz, Wes Dedrickson, Darrien Allison and Lathan Hickey. In the tree, Bryce Johnson, right, and David Griese. Show times are 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m., Sunday, at the Dorothy Corsberg Theatre. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)

ShawnnaRae Jantz and Troy Wills rehearse a scene for the NJC theatre department's upcoming production of "Almost, Maine." The play features nine vignettes showing the residents of Almost falling in and out of love. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)

If you go

What: NJC theatre present's "Almost, Maine"

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday

Where: Dorothy Corsberg Theatre inside E.S. French Hall

Cost: $7 for adults, free for NJC students and staff

STERLING — If you're in the mood for love, Northeastern Junior College has just the ticket, with the theatre department's upcoming production of “Almost, Maine,” starting Friday, April 4.

“It's a corky love story,” said director Kate Egging, who is the new adjunct theatre instructor on campus.

Set in Maine in the town of Almost -- which is not found on a territorial map and is so far north it's almost not in the United States -- the play, written by John Cariani, features nine short vignettes showing the residents of Almost falling in and out of love.

“You get to see the relationships between the characters,” Egging said. “It's all loved based, heart based, character based.”

She just started teaching at NJC in January. Originally from New Jersey, Egging met her husband, who is from Sidney, Neb., at the University of Houston. When they found out they were expecting their now one and a half year old daughter, the couple decided to relocate from Chicago to somewhere “more quiet and family friendly,” so they moved to Sidney.

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Egging did some theatre productions in Sidney with NJC's former theatre director and when he let her know that he was leaving and a position would be opening up, she jumped at the chance to teach at the college.

When she first came to the college she knew “this is the place for me, I am supposed to be here.”

Egging has been around theatre her whole life. She studied theatre in school and has directed productions before, but this is her first time actually teaching. She said it's been sort of challenging to take on both rolls, but she's enjoying it.

David Griese and Kayla Smith rehearse a scene from the NJC theatre department's upcoming production of "Almost, Maine," which features stories of falling in and out of love. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)

“These are the most hard-working kids,” she said. “They remind me of what theatre is all about.”

Egging chose “Almost, Maine” for her directorial debut at NJC because she had seen a cutting of it during a one-act competition she was in and she knew cast size could be adjusted, depending on how many students she'd have to work with.

“It's just really fun and different,” she said.

NJC's production includes eight cast members, with some taking on four or six roles, and two crew members – Lathan Hickey and Bryce Johnson.

One of the cast members is Troy Wills, a first year student, who is part of a theatre family and has done some musicals and plays, but he says this is his “first full blown, on-stage production.”

He says his favorite part of acting is “being able to change into someone different.”

Wills was also kind of pushed into joining the production by cast member ShawnnaRae Jantz, another first year student. She has helped managed theatre productions before, but this is her first time acting in one.

“It's college and I felt like if I was going to do something I might as well try it now,” she said about why she decided to be in the production. “Plus, Kate is an awesome, influential person and I wanted to take advantage of her knowledge.”

David Griese is a second year student who was in a production NJC did last year and has also been in several Sterling Miracle Players plays.

Kate Egging, NJC's new adjunct theatre instructor and director of the theatre department's upcoming production of "Almost, Maine," gives her cast a few pointers during rehearsal. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)

“It's been fun so far,” he said, adding that he likes “being able to be different characters, to portray emotions in different people.”

Wes Dedrickson is another second year student who was in last year's production and is involved in the college's improv group.

He said theatre is “what I do, who I am.”

“It was always my escape in high school,” Dedrickson said, adding that he enjoys being able to say and do things that he wouldn't normally say or do. “It's nice to be someone else who's a little bit more exciting.”

Darrien Allison, who will also reign as queen of NJC's Auto Show Saturday and Sunday, is a first year student. She has done improv at the college and before coming to NJC she did theatre in high school and summer plays with a group in the town where she grew up, Flagler.

“I've always enjoyed it,” she said about acting. “It's a fun time; you get to let loose.”

According to Allison, there's something everyone can relate to in this play.

“You can find yourself in one way or another in each character.”

Another cast member, Kayla Smith, is also a first year student.

“I've done theater since I can remember,” she said, adding that she enjoys “the process of it all, the hard work you have to put into it.”

Suzanna Kurz is a first year student as well. She's been in a few church cantatas and was in a school play in the eighth grade.

Kurz said her favorite part about acting is “getting to know who the characters are, where they come from and becoming that character.”

The other cast member in the show is Dassah Lindstadt.

Those who come to the show will get a chance to get up close to the acting, as the audience will be sitting on stage. There will also be an opportunity for the audience to enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies during the intermission of the one-hour play.

Show times are 7 p.m., Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, and 3 p.m., Sunday, April 6, in the Dorothy Corsberg Theatre. Admission is $7 for the general public, free for NJC staff and students. Tickets will be available at the door.

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